I can see them signing him only if they flip him right away for a pick. Chicago simply cannot afford to keep Niemi without letting go of someone else.

Also , who in the blue hell started this turco @ 1.5 rumor? I dont know whats worse , people starting silly rumors , or the people naive enough to quote hfboard posters as credible sources. Please stop talking about turco @ 1.5 like its your other option.

Cap hit is the only important factor - salary is an internal accounting matter.

Arbitrators award salaries, not cap hits. Halak's deal pays him $2.75m in 2010-2011 when he would have been an RFA. Why should Niemi get paid this season on Halak's averaged deal that takes him out 4 years into UFA?

Arbitrators award salaries, not cap hits. Halak's deal pays him $2.75m in 2010-2011 when he would have been an RFA. Why should Niemi get paid this season on Halak's averaged deal that takes him out 4 years into UFA?

Arbitrators award salaries, not cap hits. Halak's deal pays him $2.75m in 2010-2011 when he would have been an RFA. Why should Niemi get paid this season on Halak's averaged deal that takes him out 4 years into UFA?

Arbitrators would look at the entire contract not just one year in isolation in a four year contract.

I can see them signing him only if they flip him right away for a pick. Chicago simply cannot afford to keep Niemi without letting go of someone else.

Also , who in the blue hell started this turco @ 1.5 rumor? I dont know whats worse , people starting silly rumors , or the people naive enough to quote hfboard posters as credible sources. Please stop talking about turco @ 1.5 like its your other option.

Now that the Hawks know the arbitration ruling, can they go to Niemi and say they will walk away with the mutual agreement to a different contract (lower cap hit, but more money upfront)? For example, say they offer him a 3 year contract with a $2.5M cap hit ($3.25M, $2.5M, $1.75M).

Something like this would be beneficial for both the Hawks and Niemi. Suppose he has a bad year and loses the starting job. He won't be seeing a contract in the $2M range anytime soon.

Now that the Hawks know the arbitration ruling, can they go to Niemi and say they will walk away with the mutual agreement to a different contract (lower cap hit, but more money upfront)? For example, say they offer him a 3 year contract with a $2.5M cap hit ($3.25M, $2.5M, $1.75M).

Something like this would be beneficial for both the Hawks and Niemi. Suppose he has a bad year and loses the starting job. He won't be seeing a contract in the $2M range anytime soon.

No. The choice for the Hawks is to sign the contract as awarded or walk away.